The landscape of competitive distance running in Singapore has just shifted. SG International Marathon Pte Ltd (SGIMPL) has announced a major overhaul of the National Championships at the BYD Singapore International Marathon (SIM) presented by adidas. Headlining this refresh is a new naming partnership with Embed Financial Group Holdings (EFGH), a move that brings unprecedented financial support and professionalization to the local elite field.

A Landmark Prize Purse for Local Talent

The most striking headline for competitive runners is the massive injection of cash into the event. The total prize purse for the National Championships has skyrocketed to S$177,500, marking a 200% increase from previous editions.

The winner of the EFGH National Championships – Marathon will now walk away with S$30,000, a three-fold increase compared to previous years. The rewards trickle down the rankings as well, with second place taking $15,000 and third place securing $10,000. Even the Masters category is seeing significant recognition, with the top male and female finishers in the marathon earning $3,000 each. Half-marathoners are not left out either; the local winners of the 21.1km distance will receive $7,500.

Dennis Ng, Executive Chairman of EFGH, emphasized that this isn’t just about the money, but about raising the bar for the sport. “Our athletes deserve structures that match their ambition,” Ng stated. “If support rises, standards rise … Serious athletes need serious support”.

Pathway to the 2027 SEA Games

The stakes for the EFGH National Championships extend far beyond the immediate financial reward. The race has officially been designated as a provisional selection race for the 2027 SEA Games.

The top three male and female finishers in the marathon category will earn automatic spots in the SEA Games 2027 Provisional Selection Squad. Singapore Athletics (SA) is working closely with the organizers to integrate this race into the broader performance pathway. SA President Lien Choong Luen noted that the association is committed to supporting these top finishers through targeted development and overseas competition opportunities as they work toward final Games nominations.

The “Elite 60” Selection Process

To ensure the National Championships remain a high-caliber event, SGIMPL is implementing a merit-based selection process restricted to 60 of Singapore’s fastest runners – 30 men and 30 women – split across the marathon and half-marathon categories.

The selection criteria are rigorous:

• Automatic Entry: Podium finishers from the previous National Championships gain automatic spots.
• Half-to-Full Invitation: The reigning Half Marathon champion will be invited to “step up” to the full marathon distance.
• Qualifying Window: Remaining slots will be awarded based on the fastest times recorded between 1 March 2025 and 31 August 2026.
• Benchmark Times: To be considered for the marathon spots, men must have clocked a sub-3:00 time, while women must have achieved sub-3:30 within the qualifying window. For the half marathon, the benchmarks are 1:20 for men and 1:40 for women.

An Elite Experience: Removing Distractions

For the selected 60 athletes, the race experience will mirror that of the international elite field. SGIMPL has waived all registration fees for these participants and will provide a suite of premium services including dedicated transport to the start line, access to elite hydration and refuel stations, and a dedicated race pen and flag-off.

“Our top athletes deserve recognition and tangible support,” said Shalindran Sathiyanesan, Event Director at SGIMPL. “These measures are designed to remove logistical distractions so they can focus fully on delivering their best performance”. Additionally, the EFGH National Championships will receive its own dedicated broadcast focus during the event coverage.

Innovations for the Mass Participation Field

While the elite scene is seeing major upgrades, the mass participation experience is also being redesigned. Registration for all categories is now open with a static pricing system. Unlike traditional tiered pricing that penalizes latecomers, entry fees will remain consistent until the 52,000-participant cap is reached or until registration closes on 30 September 2026.

Local residents will benefit from lower entry fees (e.g., S$188 for the Marathon) compared to international participants (S$208).

New features for 2026 include:

• The Crew Challenge: A new competitive format where teams of four compete in the marathon; the team with the fastest combined time wins.
• 1.6km Competitive Kids Dash: Aimed at children aged 10-12, this new category seeks to nurture young talent early.
• Curated Refuel Stops: In a nod to Singaporean heritage, race routes will feature “local delights and culture” at hydration points to provide a unique “national marathon” feel.

How to Join

With a hard cap on participants and the high interest in the refreshed National Championships, runners are encouraged to register early.

• Registration Link: register.singaporeinternationalmarathon.com
• Information: singaporeinternationalmarathon.com
• Socials: Follow @sgintlmarathon on Instagram and Facebook for updates.